Windmills for Mennen Arena?

Energy costs are so high at Morris County's Mennen Arena in Morris Township that a contractor is exploring wind power as an alternative, reports Wednesday's Star-Ledger.

Wind power also is being considered for the county's Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township and the Berkshire Valley Golf Course in Jefferson:

''The cost of energy has increased so much, we had to take a good hard look at available options,'' said David Helmer, executive director of the Morris County Park Commission.

Story below.

High bills at ice rink light fire under county

Firm hired to explore energy alternatives

By Lawrence Ragonese/Star-Ledger staff

Paying a hefty $785,000 utility bill in 2007 for the Mennen Sports Arena h a s p r ompted Morris County park system officials to look for ways to cut costs, even to consider wind power to generate energy, county officials said yesterday.

The Edison-based Dome-Tech Group is doing a thorough analysis of the arena, which has three ice rinks, to figure out possibilities for more efficient energy use. It also is checking o u t e n ergy supply changes that could draw potential rebates from the state's Smart Start Energy Program, as much as $400,000, said Jeff Biggs, director of engineering services for the Morris County Park Commission.

''The cost of energy has increased so much, we had to take a good hard look at available options,'' said David Helmer, executive director of the Morris County Park Commission.

Annual energy costs at Mennen were $550,000 in 2002 when the county opened its new third ice surface. That increased the cost to $675,000 annually, with utility prices continuing to spike since then to nearly $800,000, said Helmer.

Dome-Tech has been asked to consider an array of options, including use of solar panels atop the arena, which is located in Morris Township. The 19-point study also will consider high-efficiency pumps and boilers, automatic light dimming for lobby areas, energy-efficient fluorescent lighting in some areas, replacement of electric grills and ovens with gas-fired units and even reduction of vending machine power.

In addition, Dome-Tech will consider use of wind power at Mennen, while another consultant will simultaneously consider if wind power could generate energy at the park commission's Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township and the Berkshire Valley Golf Course in Jefferson.

''We're not thinking wind power has a lot of promise, but we felt we had to at least take a look at it, to see if it's worth pursuing,'' said Biggs.

Dome-Tech, which began its study a few weeks ago, is being paid $28,600. A report is due back from the consultant in several months.

Lawrence Ragonese may be reached at lragonese@starledger.com or (973) 539-7910.